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N.Y. library puts images online

A collection of 250,000 images -- including maps, Civil War photos, illuminated medieval manuscripts and historic menus -- became accessible online Thursday, the New York Public Library announced.

"By opening the doors of our acclaimed collections to users over the Internet, we are plunging fully into an exciting new era of library service," library President Paul LeClerc said. "These visual materials, many of which are unique to the library, will be available to anyone in the world with an Internet connection at any time, free of charge."

The initial 250,000 items in the NYPL Digital Gallery, selected by curators from all the library's divisions, will grow to 500,000 images over the next several months, library officials said.